Toyota's 2024 Product Offensive

All the new cars Toyota SA will be launching this year

‍

‍Amongst many other events on the automotive calendar, the annual Toyota State of the Motor Industry (SOMI) remains an important component of the wider industry, where the Japanese manufacturer details the local automotive market, finance, outlooks, and market analysis.

Not that alone, it also looks at the overall position of the brand locally, ongoing customer behaviour and vehicles that it will be launching throughout the year.

Speaking of the latter, Toyota South Africa hinted at which vehicles the country can look forward to in 2024, and it looks like a busy one for the marque.

Land Cruiser 70 Series

Earmarked to launch in February 2024, the facelifted Land Cruiser 70 Series will be available in single cab, double cab, and station wagon guises.

According to Toyota SA, the 2.8-litre GD-6 turbo-diesel 4-cylinder engine that powers the Hilux, Fortuner, and Land Cruiser Prado models will join the LC 76 station wagon and 79 single and double cab variants, delivering the same 150kW and 500Nm of torque.

As for the 78 Troop Carrier, it continues to be powered by the same naturally-aspirated 4.2-litre straight-6 turbocharged diesel engine that also powers the 79.

The 70 Series is also expected to get a revamped cabin as well as a new infotainment system.

Land Cruiser Prado

Boasting a traditional square silhouette and based on the capable LC300 platform, Toyota is expected to launch its new Land Cruiser Prado in April 2024. The new model will pack a 2.8-litre GD-6 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine that is linked to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The Land Cruiser Prado will also boast the brand’s modular design, which, according to Toyota, makes it easy to replace parts if damaged off-road.

Toyota Hilux 48V

As much as electrification seems to have caught up within the bakkie segment, Toyota plans to launch a hybridised Hilux model in March 2024.

The 48-volt mild hybrid system will work in tandem with the aforementioned 2.8-litre GD-6 engine and will add 12kW of power and 65Nm of torque for short bursts, courtesy of a motor generator.

While specifics regarding the system remain unclear at this stage, Toyota promises an advanced stop/start system, improved acceleration, fuel efficiency, and regenerative braking.

When it finally launches, it will rival the Ford Ranger Wildtrak PHEV.

Hilux GR S III

The Hilux GR-S is a legend in its own right as a product that excels both on and off the beaten track, but an even more elite model is on its way.

Dubbed the Hilux GR-S III, it’s essentially a widebody model that is slated to launch sometime in March this year, boasting a front fascia that is inspired by the Tundra model as well as customised Dakar-bred styling cues.

With the Ranger Wildtrak X in its crosshairs, the Hilux GR-S III features wider tyres and body enhancements to make it wider than the normal Hilux.

The GR-inspired interior consists of a black monochrome theme, red accents, red seatbelts, paddle shifters, aluminium sport pedals, black suede, and leather sports seats with silver stitching.

Like the regular GR-S variant, the wide-body Hilux GR-S is also powered by the same 2.8-litre GD-6 engine with 165kW and 550Nm – 15kW and 50Nm more than the standard model.

Toyota bZ4X

Following its global debut in concept guise in 2021, Toyota will officially introduce its bZ4X model in 2025 as it pushes towards a sustainable future.

As the first vehicle to be based on the eTNGA dedicated BEV platform, the bZ4X is Toyota’s first BEV and comes with 400km of range courtesy of a 71.4kWh battery pack that feeds power to a 150kW front axle-mounted electric motor. An AWD model will likely be offered as an option.

Lexus RZ

On the premium side, Lexus will launch its new RZ in 2025 as its first bespoke BEV, which will also use the same eTNGA platform.

The RZ will be offered exclusively with dual-motor AWD, thanks to a 150kW motor on the front axle and an 80kW motor at the rear for a combined power output of 230kW and 435Nm.

It will cruise silently for up to 450 kilometres between charges. Performance? Well, it’s no slouch and will brisk silently from 0-100km/h in 5.6 seconds before maxing out at 160km/h. 

Sales Forecast

The 2024 SOMI also provided the perfect platform for TSAM’s President and CEO, Andrew Kirby, to give his sales forecast for 2024.

According to Kirby, the brand anticipates 540,000 total sales for the year 2024 – a significant uptick over last year’s 532,098 sales. The sales figures are predicted to consist of 355,871 passenger sales, 152,827 LCV sales, and 31,301 from other products.

‍